The Donegal Women’s Domestic Violence Service has launched its Christmas toy appeal to ensure no children go without presents this year.
The Letterkenny-based service is appealing for new toys or cash donations to enable them to buy toys or give toy vouchers to give to parents, as they know what their children need or want.
To donate, please visit: https://donegaldomesticviolenceservices.enthuse.com/cf/christmas-toy-appeal
Christmas time is a particularly busy time for the service, and sadly many children may be uprooted from their homes due to domestic violence.
It could be the first year in their own home.
Or for some families, they are now in refuge or safe house accommodation.
The Donegal Women’s Domestic Violence Service wants to make sure that all children have toys on Christmas Day.
Dr Marie Hainsworth, Chairperson of the Donegal Service, said: “For families, with the increase in living costs and spiralling rent costs items such as toys are going to be harder to find funds for. Many children have experienced a lot in terms of exposure to trauma, being uprooted, insecurity within the family home, conflicting emotions towards parental and family figures etc. and to know that adults and the community do care about them at a time when maybe they feel most isolated will be a massive message of support.”
It’s important to remember that children are also victims of domestic abuse, despite the media focusing on the adult victims.
The Donegal centre has experienced a consistently high demand for the service this year which doesn’t seem to be dropping after Covid. “As we enter a harsh winter financially we don’t expect to see the figures drop anytime soon,” Dr Hainsworth said.
With your support you can help the team give a sense of safety to families fleeing from violent situations and nuture them as a form of therapeutic support.
Donate here (LINK), or contact ddvsrefuge@gmail.com to arrange toy donations.
